Dry and Irritated Eyes – 8 Ways to Prevent and Treat

Hi ladies,Dry eyes look dull, worn-out and tired all the time. In today’s post, let’s find out the reasons behind dry eyes, measures to avoid them and what you can do to soothe them!

Symptoms of dry eyes• Dry, itchy, or burning eyes• A feeling like something is in the eyes• Difficulty focusing because of dryness• Light sensitivity• Watery eyes

Common causes of dry eyes• Long hours spent reading or staring at a computer screen• Aging• Taking certain medications• Structural problems with the eyelids that don’t allow them to close properly• Poor fitting or dirty contacts• Blocked tear ducts

How to treat and prevent dry eyes?1. Use preservative-free tear dropsYou can use artificial tear drops to provide relief to the dryness of the eyes. These will lubricate dry eyes and keep them moist on the outer surface. Try to go for preservative-free artificial tears as they don’t irritate the eyes even if you use them multiple times a day.

2. Take frequent breaksIf you work for long hours in front of the screen, then remember to take frequent breaks in between and also blink your eyes as much as you can as blinking spreads fluid across the surface of your eyeballs and keeps the eyes lubricated.

3. Have foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids Try to include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids as they reduce inflammation in the body and relive dryness of the eyes too. Go for foods like flaxseed oil, soybean oil, chia seeds, walnuts and salmon.

4. Stay away from artificial airDon’t expose your eyes directly to artificial air like that of heaters or air conditioners. You can also use a humidifier during winters to add moisture to dry indoor air.

5. Protect your eyesTry to cover your eyes while you are out in the sun with sunglasses. Also don’t forget to wear swimming goggles when swimming.

6. Use warm compresses or warm wash clothesApply a warm compress to your eyes. This can help unplug blocked tear glands. You can also wet a clean cloth with warm water. Hold the cloth over your eyes for 5 minutes and then repeat the process to relieve eyes of any debris.

7. Have another look at your contacts lensDon’t wear your contacts for too long, keep them clean, and always wash your hands before handling them. Also make sure your contacts fit you as they can also be the cause of dry eyes.

8. Consult a doc!If the above-mentioned points do not help you in any way, consult an ophthalmologist. Dry eyes can interfere with your daily activities and it’s better to look for a solution as soon as possible.